New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I Match Summary

This win augurs well for Pakistan as well as from the series' perspective. Now the scoreline reads 1-1 with a game to go. The decider i.e. the third and the final T20I of the series will be played at Mount Maunganui on the 28th of January, 2017. It begins at 1900 local time (0600 GMT). We would love to have your company for that game, too, as we did today. Thanks for joining us. See ya then. Till the next time, ta-ta, take care. Meanwhile, for more cricket action - Test cricket - switch tabs and keep an eye on the South Africa - India game that is going through an attritional phase.

Sarfraz Ahmed, the happy Pakistan captain, thanks the almighty first, before crediting Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad for the start that they provided. States that he told his batters to start well in the Powerplay. More credits flow for Babar Azam and Shehzad for their efforts with the bat. Lauds his bowlers' efforts for doing well on a small ground. Mentions being unsure of defending this total at the halfway stage and hence is elated to have done so.

Kane Williamson, the Kiwi skipper, states that the opposition were excellent in all the departments tonight. Opines that although his side didn't play to their potential, there is still belief in the camp. States that it isn't easy to bowl on small grounds. Is happy with his bowlers' efforts. Reckons that with wickets in hand, any score can be chased in the country. Asserts that they have to move on and play well in the following game. Says that T20 is a fickle format and they will get back to the drawing board and see the areas of improvement.

Fakhar Zaman is the Man of the Match. He is happy as his side have managed to notch up their first win on this tour. Reckons that the wicket was much better than the previous game. States that they (the openers) tried to take their time initially and then went for their strokes. Ends saying that he is happy with his current form and would want to carry on in the next game as well.

Kane Williamson was out first ball, the second time in his T20I career and on both occasions, against the same occasion. A piece of brilliance on the field from Haris Sohail ended Tom Bruce's stay in the middle and the tourists never looked back from there. Picture this - while chasing a score, partnerships are the order of the day and New Zealand got one only for the 7th wicket, a 54-run stand. Only Mitchell Santner and Ben Wheeler scored over 30 for them. Earlier, brisk knocks from Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam and Sarfraz Ahmed helped Pakistan post a big total on board, which proved enough for them in the end. Thus, one has to admit that the side in green outplayed the men in black on all counts. Let's find out what the presentation has in store for us.

Finally, Pakistan get all the aspects of the game right and end up on the right side of the result. The target that they had set was a big one indeed and their bowlers ensured that it continues to be so. They started on the right note by making crucial strikes at the start, picking up three wickets inside the Powerplay. Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers picking up three wickets. The fall of the Kiwis was started by Amir, who trapped Munro early to set the tone for the chase.

OUT! That's it! PAKISTAN WIN BY 48 RUNS TO KEEP THE SERIES ALIVE! Banged short on the stumps, Sodhi goes for the pull. Gets a top edge towards fine leg. Azam runs backwards from short fine leg to take it comfortably and spark off celebrations for his side.

Sodhi looks to pull it but fails to do so.

Trent Boult is the last man in.

OUT! The end is near! Length ball angling in, Rance chips it straight down long on's throat. Zaman, stationed there, gets one of the most easiest catches you will ever do in the sport. Takes it with ease to end Rance's stay. The on-air commentators joke that if that would have sailed over, he would have wanted the ground to be taken out of the sport.

Guided to third man for one to get going.

Seth Rance walks in at no.10.

OUT! Final nail in the coffin? Back of a length ball at 143.9 kph. Santner backs away and looks to heave it to the on side but is undone by the quick pace. Gets a thick outside edge to Ahmed who does the rest. Pleasantries exchanges between the bowler and the batter.

Length ball on the stumps, Santner has a hoick but misses.

NOT OUT! Santner flicks it through mid-wicket and wants two immediately. He rushes back for the second even as a good flat throw over the stumps reaches the keeper. He whips the bails of and asks the question. The third umpire is called for. Replays show that he has made it in.

A run out appeal against Santner is referred upstairs. Seems to be safe...

Full on off, driven to long off for one.

FOUR! Let the bowler change, Sodhi's approach will be the same. Hurled on a shorter length, Ish backs away and pulls it aerially towards wide long on. The ball bounces just in front of the ropes before going over. 53 more needed in 17 balls.

Mohammad Amir back for his last over.

Outside off, pushed through the cover region for one.

How did that miss the inside edge as well as the leg stick? Full and spearing in, Ish backs away and looks to smash it. Misses it completely.

SIX! Bang! Ish returns what he got when he had the ball in hand. A full toss on off, Sodhi clears his front leg and smashes it high and handsomely over long on for a maximum.

Short ball, pulled through backward square leg for one.

Glided past point for one.

Full on middle, driven through mid on for one.

Santner retains strike by pushing it towards covers.

FOUR! Streaky! Full on the stumps, Santner backs away to play this through the off side. Gets a thick inside edge past the leg sticks for a boundary. 68 off 25 needed.

Sodhi clips it through square leg to rotate strike.

The batsman fails to put bat on ball.

Eased towards extra cover to rotate strike.